Use Of Donkeys Research Articles

Evaluation of a digital stethoscope for electrocardiographic recording in donkeys: Preliminary results

The digital stethoscope (DS) is a cost-effective single-lead digital stethoscope that allows simultaneous electrocardiographic (ECG) and phonocardiographic recordings on a smartphone. Despite its application in small animals and horses, there are currently no studies on its use in donkeys. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a new smartphone-based DS device in recording ECG tracings in donkeys. Standard base-apex lead ECG (sECG) and single-lead DS ECG (dECG) were simultaneously recorded for at least 30 s. Both sECG and dECG tracings were analysed by the same operator, recording heart rate, ECG waves and intervals, and the presence and duration of artefacts. Thirty-seven donkeys were included. The dECG tracings were interpretable in all the animals (100 %). The results showed perfect agreement between the sECG and dECG data for the classification of heart rhythm and P-wave polarity. Strong agreement was found in the evaluation of heart rate calculated manually and automatically by the smartphone app, QRS complex polarity, T wave polarity, and duration of the PR interval. However, no agreement was found in the evaluation of P wave duration, QRS complex duration and amplitude, and T wave duration and amplitude. In conclusion, although this is only a preliminary study, the DS was a valid, practical, and easy to use electrocardiographic tool for recording good-quality ECG tracings to assess the ECGs of donkeys in the field.

Ovulation induction in Caribbean jennies in the tropics

The population of some endangered donkey breeds in tropical regions has declined recently. Therefore, there is an increasing interest to improve the reproductive management of these animals. Ovulation induction agents are often used in equine practice to optimize reproduction techniques. However, limited information exists to support its use in donkeys. Therefore, we compared 2 ovulation-inducing agents (commonly used in equine practice) to hasten ovulation in Caribbean jennies in the tropics. Five cycles of 8 Caribbean jennies were used. Jennies were monitored via transrectal ultrasonography and in 4 estrous cycles they had ovulation induced with either 2,500 IU of hCG or 1.8 mg of deslorelin acetate when a follicle measuring between 27 - 30 mm or > 30 mm in diameter was diagnosed. In the Control-assigned cycle, jennies were not treated with hormones and had spontaneous ovulation. Follicle diameters affected (p < 0.05) the interval to ovulation. When given with a follicle > 30 mm, either treatment reduced (p < 0.05) the interval to ovulation. A higher percentage of jennies ovulated within 48 hours after hCG or deslorelin acetate with > 30 mm follicle (p < 0.05), and with deslorelin acetate with 27 - 30 mm follicle (p < 0.05) than in the Control-assigned cycle. In conclusion, Caribbean jennies in tropics with > 30 mm follicle responded to ovulation induction with hCG or deslorelin acetate, with ovulation occurring within 48 hours.

Pre-Extension Demonstration and Evaluation of Donkey Drawn Multi-Purpose Cart in Gola Oda District of East Hararghe Zone

Pre-extension demonstration of donkey drawn cart with the objectives of promoting and popularize donkey drawn cart technology and to create awareness, improving farmers knowledge and skills through giving training. Two FREGs having 40 farmers per kebele were established at Jiddo Misra and Dima Misra. Training on which a total of 81 participants part were organized at Jiddo Misra and Dima Misra of Gola Oda district. 81.5% of the participants were farmers out of which 18.1% female farmers participated on the training. The use of donkeys for pulling carts enables larger quantities of goods to be transported and also helps farmers to earn income by hiring it out. The participants in the technology demonstration activities preferred this technology than the traditional one as single donkey can draw up to five quintals at once. Keywords: Demonstration, Donkey Drawn Cart, Technology, Gola Oda District DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/12-5-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2022

Risk factors for infection with equine influenza virus in donkeys (Equus asinus) in Senegal

In recent years, outbreaks of equine influenza are reported in several countries in the world particulary in Africa. This study is designed to assess the potential risk factors associated with equine influenza virus infection in donkeys in Senegal. The study consists in comparing, depending on the exposure to risk factors, a batch of donkeys infected with the equine influenza virus to another batch of donkeys not infected with the virus during the epizootic of March 2019 which affected the department of Foundiougne. The study reveals that the spread of the equine influenza virus in Foundiougne is associated with the lack of access to veterinary care and infected donkeys were exposed in a ratio of 2 times (95% CI: 1.38; 4.71) more than donkeys unharmed. The wandering of donkeys is also linked with the disease. The indicator reflecting the strength of the relationship, the Odds Ratio is 2.06 (95% CI: 1.10; 3.87). However, the results indicate that attendance at rural markets (Odds Ratio = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.44; 1.82), young age (Odds Ratio = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.52, 1.55) and female sex (Odds Ratio = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.57; 1, 66) do not appear to be related to the spread of the disease. At present, in Senegal, control focused on sensitizing and informing donkey owners on the sanitary management and rational use of donkeys is essential for their well-being.

Challenges and perspectives for exploiting donkey milk in the Brazilian Northeast

ABSTRACT: Known as an animal of multiple functions, the Equus asinus has always been used for various purposes, such as entertainment, horseback riding, means of transport, agricultural traction and dairy farming. Although, donkeys are associated with a vast heritage of social, cultural, economic and ecological importance, they have lost their importance in the activities of rural properties, both in the developed economies of European countries and in the Northeast region of Brazil. Specific studies of production systems aimed rational exploitation of the donkey species in Brazil do not exist. New perspectives for the use of donkey in the Brazilian semiarid region through the dairy industry has aroused scientific interest and the interest of investors. The donkey, allied to the low production costs and rusticity of the species, has the capacity to contribute to the economy with products of high biological value and therapeutic characteristics. Thus, this review provided a broad view of the donkey bred in the Northeast of Brazil, observing its characteristics and relevance for the region. The benefits of donkey milk and the need to promote the production and marketing of this milk in the dairy production chain will also be discussed.

Donkeys in transition

Donkeys have a long history in the development of human societies. Typically referred to as a beast of burden, traditional uses for donkeys have included the transportation of goods and people, use in agricultural and forestry activities, to access water, and provide citizens in low- and middle-income countries a means of making an income for communities. However, the rise of mechanization, the development of modern farming techniques, and the increasing availability of motorized vehicles have led to donkeys and mules becoming redundant from traditional roles in many parts of the world. We provide examples of where donkeys have successfully transitioned from traditional roles to new, non-traditional roles in Europe and North America, and demonstrate that, although the roles and use of donkeys and mules are changing in a rapidly developing world, we can learn lessons from the past and apply them to current challenges. As the need for working equids declines in transport and agriculture, they still hold great value for recreational, therapeutic, and environmentally friendly methods of animal traction.

Health evaluation of donkeys: parasite control methods and a model for challenge infections

Donkeys, mules, and asses are domestic animals of worldwide distribution, found in all regions of Brazil. Although more health data is needed from these species, some sectors of today’s society are exploring alternatives to use these animals for milk production and the use of donkeys in social events and onotherapy. Donkeys (Equus asinus) are used in many everyday activities, but the animals need better welfare conditions. Although it is well known that endoparasite infections (i.e. cyathostomins, Strongylus spp., Parascaris sp.) can harm the clinical condition of the animals, there are limited clinical and laboratory supporting data, including registered therapeutic drugs for their control. The objective of the present work was to review the existing literature about parasite infections of donkeys, including their clinical implications, and the drug efficacy test to help practitioners improve their health management programs. To assist with that, we have developed a questionnaire to identify the risk factors of donkey farming, which is presented here in English and in Portuguese. Lastly, the present article also includes an original simulation using the susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model with low, moderate, and severe scenarios to help visualize the risk of parasite infections. The SIR model was based on the disease condition of donkeys in Brazil, using transient interaction levels from 0.0015 to 0.0025, infectivity levels from 0.10 to 0.40, and distinct recovery rates (R) from 0.01 to 0.08. As milk production is an expanding new activity worldwide, we want to emphasize that the first comprehensive studies must take into account differences in animal age, breed, and body condition score, local climate, pasture quality, day of sampling, and the period of lactation within the lactation curve to measure the health condition of donkeys. These data are considered important and will then be correlated to the parasite egg/oocyst (EPG or OoPG) counts in the feces using coproparasitological protocols (McMaster and Mini-FLOTAC), and even DNA-based techniques, to establish a novel data bank for donkeys. Target selective treatment has been proposed to be used as a routine in horses and will also be implemented in donkeys. This technique aims to reduce the number of anthelmintic treatments and, consequently, lessen parasite selection for resistance. The dynamic variations found by the SIR model are discussed in the text and should be taken into account when deciding the best health management implementation and parasite control programs. We think that more studies are needed to evaluate the basic physiological performance of donkeys in tropical areas to better understand their thermal adaptation, assuming that the animals are kept under acceptable clinical, nutritional, and housing conditions to express their resilient behavior. Cases of neglect and ill-treatment of animals must also be studied in infected conditions as well as their negative impacts. These strategies reinforce the concept of holistic farming with the possibility to improve specific informations, thereby improving the welfare of the donkeys.

Donkey welfare assessment in north-east Portugal

AbstractThe well-documented versatility of donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) means that issues concerning their welfare can vary depending on how they are mainly used and their geographic location. The present study is the first assessment of donkey welfare to be systematically conducted in the Iberian Peninsula. This area is characterised by the coexistence of high levels of mechanisation and industrialisation, and human populations with low levels of formal education, still making use of donkeys in their daily work. This study aims to evaluate the main welfare problems affecting donkeys within this context. The welfare assessment was carried out in accordance with the first level of the AWIN protocol for donkeys. Only 37.6% of the animals evaluated showed all positive indicators, with no physical problem detected while the remaining 62.4% revealed at least one negative health indicator. Body Condition Score (BCS) was one of the main concerns, with around half of the donkeys exhibiting an inadequate body condition. Dental evaluation revealed similarly concerning results, with 62.8% of the animals assessed requiring treatment. Indications of hoof neglect were noted in 39.5% of the animals evaluated with a 9.84% incidence of lameness. Skin problems affected 26.7% of individuals. Only 41% of the animals displayed positive results for all behavioural indicators. Aside from BCS, the most prevalent problems were sub-optimal behaviour, pain reaction to cheek palpation, hoof disease and integument alterations. These issues should be prioritised, both as regards this specific donkey population and the education of their caretakers.

Analysis of the benefits and production challenges of working donkeys in smallholder farming systems in Kenya.

Aim:The aim of the study was to determine the benefits of keeping donkeys and associated production challenges under a smallholder farming system in Kenya.Materials and Methods:A descriptive study was conducted with smallholder farmers keeping donkeys in 13 administrative locations in Kirinyaga County. Data were collected using a questionnaire guide in 13 focus group discussions (FGDs) using participatory epidemiological methods. The FGDs comprised 8-12 participants who were donkey owners. Data were collected through listing, pair-wise ranking, and probing on the benefits of keeping donkeys, challenges faced by working donkeys and the common diseases that affect donkeys in these farms. Data analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric method to test whether median ranks were significantly different. Other farm level data were also collected using the structured questionnaire and these were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.Results:The identified benefits included income obtained from the use of donkeys in transportation (Z=5.80) and manure production (Z=3.47), which enabled the farmers to participate in trade activities and improve crop farming. The identified challenges included theft for slaughter (Z=5.99), disease incidence (Z=3.03), road accidents (Z=2.83), and malicious cutting (Z=2.32). Some of the diseases identified were tetanus (Z=5.35), hoof problems (Z=4.55), helminthiases (Z=3.10), and mange (Z=2.24). Participants ranked diseases based on their effects on work output for the donkeys, reducing productivity and often causing death. Addressing these production challenges would optimize donkey use among smallholder farmers.Conclusion:The results presented can be important for policymakers and extension agents regarding the health and welfare of donkeys kept under similar settings.

Seroprevalence of <i>Clostridium tetani</i> in Donkeys in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Tetanus is an acute non-contagious and infectious disease caused by Clostridium tetani exotoxins that affect many animal species and humans. It is associated with high mortality rate, ranging from 58% to 80% in Equidae. This study investigated the seroprevalence of C. tetani antibodies in donkeys in Kaduna State. A total of 384 donkeys were sampled from the study area, 5 ml of blood was collected aseptically from the jugular vein and sera was harvested and tested for tetanus using ELISA kits. A seroprevalence of C. tetani of 295/384 (76.8%) was recorded. Male donkeys had a higher sero-prevalence (89.9%) than female (64.1%), young donkeys had 78.5% compared to 75.7% for adults; donkeys with wounds had a seroprevalence of 92.1% while those without wounds (42.4%). Donkeys from free range had a higher seroprevalence of 88.0%. Donkeys with BCS of 1 and 2 had 87.8% being the highest value, based on breeds, the Fari and Idabari had the higher seroprevalence (85.7% and 87.2% respectively), It was concluded that the donkeys in the Northern Kaduna had a high seroprevalence to C. tetani and also sex, age, breeds and presence of wounds were the main risk factors to C. tetani infection in donkeys and it was recommended that the use of donkeys in production of tetanus antitoxins and toxoid should be investigated.

The Branching Pattern of the Brachiocephalic Trunk in the Donkey (Equus asinus).

Donkeys are a member of the horse family (Equidae) and share a common ancestor. However, in morphological terms, donkeys and horses are regarded as two separate subgenus. Given variations in the branching pattern of the brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) in different species of animals and the use of donkeys in anatomy courses at colleges of veterinary medicine, we conducted this study in order to investigate the branching patterns of BCT and to describe detailed morphological information regarding donkeys. Seventeen mature donkeys were examined following euthanasia by exsanguination from the common carotid artery under general anaesthesia. Thirteen donkeys were embalmed and injected with coloured latex from BCT origin for better visualization of vessels. Four other donkeys were freshly studied without the embalming procedure. In all cases, the BCT was the only branch of the aortic arch and branched into the left subclavian (LSb) artery, the right costocervical trunk, the right subclavian (RSb) artery and the bicarotid trunk. The main branching pattern of the RSb was the costocervical trunk, the vertebral artery, the internal thoracic artery and the superficial cervical artery. The deep cervical artery branched from the costocervical trunk. The major branching pattern of the LSb was the vertebral artery, the internal thoracic artery and the superficial cervical artery. In donkeys, the external thoracic artery branches from the internal thoracic artery. Results obtained from this study indicate that BCT branching in donkeys has some similarities and differences as compared to that in horses and in the Caspian miniature horse.

The absence of immunoreactivity to donkey’s milk in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers and immunoreactivity to cow’s milk

ABSTRACTDespite the numerous benefits of milk constituents for human health a considerable number of the general population follow a milk-restricted diet due to clinically confirmed or self-assessed adverse reactions to cow’s milk consumption. Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) are currently one of the most common oral disorders, with a worldwide distribution and insufficiently defined etiology, which, among other factors, implies the immunological reaction to food proteins. The aim of this study was to determine the immune-reactivity to donkey’s milk proteins in patients with RAU and compare it to the reactivity towards the proteins from cow’s and goat’s milks, in a set of simultaneous experiments. Levels of serum IgA, IgG and IgE antibodies to the same quantity of the examined antigens were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results indicate that patients with RAU with increased immunity to cow’s milk proteins could consider the use of donkey’s milk as the best protein source.

English

A cross sectional study was carried out from January 2014 to May 2015 in Tenta Woreda, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia to identify the species and determine the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of donkeys. A total of 300 fecal samples were collected from randomly selected donkeys and examined with flotation, sedimentation, McMaster and Baerman fecal examination techniques. The overall prevalence was found to be 72.33. The major GI parasites identified based on qualitative faecal examination techniques were Strongyles spp. (57.2%), Parascaris equorum (11.2%), Strongyloides spp. (10.4%), Gastrodiscus aegypticus (5.1%), Oxyrus equi (2.7%), Fasciola spp. (2.0%) and Anoplocephal spp. (2.6%). The prevalence in female and male animals was 58.5 and 41.5%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) for the prevalence and mean epg count of strongyles and P. equorum among different age groups. Accordingly, the prevalence as well as mean epg count was higher in young than adults and old age groups. Further analysis of positive samples using coproculture revealed the occurrence of Strongylus vulgaris (27.7%), Strongylus edentates (16.6%), Strongylus equinus (4.8%), P. equorum (11.2%), Trichostrongylus axei (8.3%) Strongyloides westeri (9.5%), Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (7.5%), Oxyuris equi (6.5%) and Triodonthophorus tencollis (1.3%). There was concurrent infection of donkeys with a maximum of two different GI parasites with prevalence of 33.48%. The findings of the present study clearly suggest that GI parasites of donkeys in the study area are still widespread and economically important constraints for the productivity and use of donkeys in rural towns. Hence, further and strengthened intervention is highly recommended taking into account the importance of these animals to the economy. Key words: Coproculture, donkeys, egg per gram of faeces (epg), faeces, GI parasites, prevalence, Tenata, Ethiopia.

The Major Cause of Lameness and Associated Risk Factors in Working Donkey in and around Hawassa Town, Ethiopia

Across sectional study survey of the major work related lameness in donkey in and around Hawassa was under taken to determine the main causes of lameness in working donkeys and associated risk factor s. A total of 205 lame donkeys have been examined and their owners were interviewed to assess the possible cause of lameness and the type of management conditions. The result reveal that donkeys found in study area mainly cart pulling donkeys (96.5%) and about 99.5% of working donkeys are male. The result of questioner survey and visual study reveal that the main causes of lameness in donkey are ;28.3% is muscular and tendon problem,21.5% is joint problem,5.4% is bone problem, 20.0% is tendon problems,13.2% is hoof problem and 27.0% is other associated risk factor were shown to cause lameness in working donkey with the extreme significant (p<0.0001).the major types of lameness encountered during the study was supportive leg lameness (47.3%) and with the least of non weight bearing lameness were encountered with the significant of (p<0.0001).the result of this study suggested that in spite of varies use of donkey; they are confronted by series of health and welfare problem. Joint problem, tendon problem, hoof problem, bone problem and other relative risk factor; abusing, over loading, over working and unnecessary neglect and general maltreatment that are causing lameness are still prevalent health and welfare problem. The public veterinary clinic is almost lacking medical equipment and medicine; meant foot treating of lame donkey, therefore, further study on lameness and welfare constraints hindering the efficient use of donkey in region is of paramount importance.

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease in donkeys

THE world's donkey population is estimated at 44 million, compared to about 58 million horses (FAO 2007). In developed countries, donkeys are often considered less economically valuable than horses. However,...

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Neospora spp. in donkeys from Southern Italy

In some European countries there is an increasing interest on donkey. Despite there are few data regarding the donkey's parasitic diseases especially those with a protozoal etiology as neosporosis. Samples used in the study were collected from 238 domestic donkeys during year 2010 in Southern Italy from 207 females and 31 males of five breeds (Martina-Franca, Amiata, Sicilian-Grey, Ragusano, Sardinian) and crossbreeds with the average age 9 years (1 month – 24 year). Sera were tested by a competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies against Neospora caninum; the sera were marked positive, if more than 30% inhibition was found. Out of a total 238 donkeys, 28 (11.8%) were found positive for Neospora antibodies with 12% in females and 6% in males. Different seroprevalence 15.4%, 16%, 12% and 8.8% were found in age categories <1 year, 1–4 years, 5–9 years and ≥10 years, respectively. The seroprevalence ranged in different breeds from 36% (Sicilian-Grey) to 0% (Sardinian) and in different use from 17% (for breeding) to 0% (for meat production).Logistic regression analysis demonstrated evidence of a significant (P<0.05) association between crossbreed origin of samples and risk of protozoan infection; age of donkeys was also significant risk factor for protozoan infection. No statistical significant difference (P>0.05) was found among genders and use of donkeys and risk of N. caninum infection. This is the first serological survey for Neospora spp. performed in donkeys.

Identifying donkey domestication through changes in cross-sectional geometry of long bones

The initial phases of donkey domestication are difficult to identify in the archaeological record due to late and inconsistent changes in morphology and body size in the earliest domestics. Use of donkeys for load carrying and the management of captive herds resulted in a distinctive behavioral shift away from the free-ranging speed and mobility characteristic of wild asses toward slower, more steady pacing. Given the ability of bone to adapt to its mechanical environment, bone remodeling in the limbs of wild asses and donkeys are evaluated using cross-sectional geometry to determine whether weight bearing or locomotor differences between the wild and domestic forms may be used to recognize early domestication. Cross-sectional data were collected on the humeri, radii, metacarpals and metatarsals of eight wild ass and six donkey skeletons. Wild ass forelimbs have greater overall strength and more cylindrical humeral diaphyses, indicating better resistance to a varied locomotor repertoire. These results demonstrate that analyses of shaft geometry can provide information on changes in locomotor behavior during domestication. Our finding that shifts in gait had greater effects on the morphology of early domestic donkeys than did load-carrying places a new emphasis on understanding selection for gait changes in domestication dynamics.

Physiological responses of donkeys (Equus asinus, Perissodactyla) to work stress and potential ameliorative role of ascorbic acid

The review examines donkey as a draught animal, used mainly for carrying load from one place to another in Africa. Although, motorized transport has been thriving rapidly in the twentieth century, the use of donkeys for transport has not experienced a proportionate decline. Donkeys are often overused, neglected and exposed to various stressors, which eventually lead to their poor performance. This review also examines the effect of packing on the physiological parameters of donkeys and the ameliorative role of ascorbic acid in donkeys subjected to work stress. In conclusion, a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanism of stress in donkeys may enhance their work output under the unfavourable environmental conditions of the tropics. Key words: Donkeys, ascorbic acid, packing, stress, physiological parameters.

Common helminth infections of donkeys and their control in temperate regions

SummaryRoundworms and flatworms that affect donkeys can cause disease. All common helminth parasites that affect horses also infect donkeys, so animals that co‐graze can act as a source of infection for either species. Of the gastrointestinal nematodes, those belonging to the cyathostomin (small strongyle) group are the most problematic in UK donkeys. Most grazing animals are exposed to these parasites and some animals will be infected all of their lives. Control is threatened by anthelmintic resistance: resistance to all 3 available anthelmintic classes has now been recorded in UK donkeys. The lungworm, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, is also problematical, particularly when donkeys co‐graze with horses. Mature horses are not permissive hosts to the full life cycle of this parasite, but develop clinical signs on infection. In contrast, donkeys are permissive hosts without displaying overt clinical signs and act as a source of infection to co‐grazing horses. Donkeys are also susceptible to the fluke, Fasciola hepatica. This flatworm can be transmitted, via snails and the environment, from ruminants. As with cyathostomins, anthelmintic resistance is increasing in fluke populations in the UK. A number of the anthelmintic products available for horses do not have a licence for use in donkeys, and this complicates the design of parasite control programmes. As no new equine anthelmintic classes appear to be near market, it is important that the efficacy of currently effective drugs is maintained. It is important that strategies are used that attempt to preserve anthelmintic efficacy. These strategies should be based on the concept that the proportion of worms in a population not exposed to anthelmintic at each treatment act as a source of ‘refugia’. The latter is an important factor in the rate at which resistance develops. Thus, it is imperative that parasite control programmes take into account the need to balance therapy to control helminth‐associated disease with the requirement to preserve anthelmintic effectiveness.

Fat content, energy value and fatty acid profile of donkey milk during lactation and implications for human nutrition

Background and aimsMilk contains numerous nutrients. The content of n-3 fatty acids, the n-6/n-3 ratio, and short- and medium-chain fatty acids may promote positive health effects. In Western societies, cow’s milk fat is perceived as a risk factor for health because it is a source of a high fraction of saturated fatty acids. Recently, there has been increasing interest in donkey’s milk. In this work, the fat and energetic value and acidic composition of donkey’s milk, with reference to human nutrition, and their variations during lactation, were investigated. We also discuss the implications of the acidic profile of donkey’s milk on human nutrition.MethodsIndividual milk samples from lactating jennies were collected 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210days after foaling, for the analysis of fat, proteins and lactose, which was achieved using an infrared milk analyser, and fatty acids composition by gas chromatography.ResultsThe donkey’s milk was characterised by low fat and energetic (1719.2kJ·kg-1) values, a high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content of mainly α-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA), a low n-6 to n-3 FA ratio or LA/ALA ratio, and advantageous values of atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. Among the minor PUFA, docosahesaenoic (DHA), eicosapentanoic (EPA), and arachidonic (AA) acids were present in very small amounts (<1%). In addition, the AA/EPA ratio was low (0.18). The fat and energetic values decreased (P < 0.01) during lactation.The fatty acid patterns were affected by the lactation stage and showed a decrease (P < 0.01) in saturated fatty acids content and an increase (P < 0.01) in the unsaturated fatty acids content. The n-6 to n-3 ratio and the LA/ALA ratio were approximately 2:1, with values <1 during the last period of lactation, suggesting the more optimal use of milk during this period.ConclusionsThe high level of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids and PUFA-n3 content and the low n-6/n-3 ratio suggest the use of donkey’s milk as a functional food for human nutrition and its potential utilisation for infant nutrition as well as adult diets, particular for the elderly.